Infant feeding means



Dec. 1, 1953 B. ALSTADT EIAL 2,661,001

INFANT FEEDING MEANS Filed July 9, 1951 AITU/FA/EV This inventionrelates constructions as used on infant nursing bottles. .and' moreparticularly is directed to improved Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATESPATENT orsics INFANT FEEDING MEANS Benjamin Alstadt and Harold Sappey,New York, N. Y.

Application July 9, 1951, Serial No. 235,792

14 Claims. (01. 128-252) to liquid feeding nipple nipple constructionsandnipple accessories for serving, as in natural breast feeding, tominimize nervous tension that generally may be manifest by a so-calledcolic condition thereby providing for an improved method of infantfeeding.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve feedingnipple constructions and methods of infant feeding of the characterdescribed and to provide nipple accessories for readily assembling withnipples of various types,

sizes and shapes in use for the purpose of utilizing the improvedfeeding method, which constructions shall comprise few and simplemultilayers forming rugged structures capable of withstanding roughusage, which constructions and accessories shall be easy and cheap tomanufacture, which shall be practically non-collapsible in use, whichshall require in operation relatively low suction conditions, whichconstructions, accessories and methodshall during feeding aid incontinuously maintaining connection between the lips and nipple therebymore close- .ly approximating natural breast feeding conditions, whichshall be easy to keep in sanitary and hygienic condition, which shall bereliable in operation, which shall be adaptable to be 'con- 0 formed tovarious types of feeding bottles, and which constructions, accessoriesand method shall be practical and efficient to a high' degree in use.

This application is a continuation in part of applicants inventiondescribed and shown in Ser. No. 147,242 filed March 2, 1950 for NursingBottle'Nipples, now Patent No. 2,582,950.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointedout. The invention accordingly consists of featuresof constructions and method, combination of elements and arrangement ofparts and steps in the method which will be exemplified in theconstructions and method hereinafter described and of which the scope ofthe application will be indicated in the claims following.

In the accompanying drawing in which embodiment of the invention areshown,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a mumlayer wall liquid feedingnipple constructed to embody the invention. Y

Figs. 2 and 3 are top and bottom plan views, respectively, of theimproved nipple shown in Fig. land showing respectively the outlet andfrom a double wall '2 inlet ends of the spaced apart air passagewaysformed in the multi-layer wall thereof.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 in Fig. 1 showing thelengths of the air passageways or ducts formation in the multi-layerwall.

Fig. 4a is a fragmentary sectionalview showing a modified form of thenipple construction in which the inlet ends of the passageways or ductsare located 'in the plane of bottom surface of the nipple bead. V

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 1 showing a crosssection of a mid portion of said multiplayer wall.

Figs. 6 and 7 are front elevational and top plan .views, respectively,of the improved nipple constructionshown in Fig. 1 with the externallayer sheath removedto show the molded rib ,on the inner nipple layer.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified form ofmulti-layer wall con: struction in which the ribs are molded to theexternal layer sheath, and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar .to Figs. 5 and 8 showinganothermodified form of multilayer wall constructed with an intermediatecorrugated layer between an inner and external layer sheath.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 20 denotes a. nipple formed of aflexible material, such as gum or synthetic rubber or other suitablesub.- stances having elastic properties constructed as hereinafterdescribed with a multi-layer wall structure embodying the invention.

Nipple 20 as seen from Figs. 1-7 may be a double Wall or layer structureforming a teat or bulbous hollow head portion 2| extending or layerstructure forming sleeve or neck 22, the latter extending between saidteat portion 2| and a hollow double wall or layer structure forming abase or breast portion 23. The double layer wall structure portions ofsaid teat 2|, neck 22 and breast 23 may comprise of integral teat, neckand breast parts 2 la, 22a and 23a, respectively, of an inner sheathlayer or liner, indicated generally at Zila; and a superimposed exteriorply layer or outer covering 20b of said double wall structure portionscomprising integral teat, neck and breast parts Zlb, 22b and 23b,respectively.

Inner teat part 2m may be a substantially hemispherical-shaped structurehaving one or more through-openings Zlc to permit flowing of liquid fromthe interior of teat portion 2| therethrough and through aligned openingZld provided in said outer covering teat part Zlb and positioned toregister with said opening 2 lo. Said inner breast part 23a mayterminate in a bottom end thickened peripheral rim or bead 230 forretaining nipple on a mouth of a feeding bottle (not shown) in the wellunderstood manner.

Said inner sheath layer or liner 20a. may be formed to have extendingalong the length of the surface thereof facing outer covering 201),spaced apart integrally formed ribs 200 which serve in the assembly ofouter covering 20!) on inner liner 20a as partitions for elongatedcontinuous air-passageways or conduits 24 formed to pass successivelythrough teat portion 2 neck portion 22 and breast portion 23 as is clearfrom Figs. 1 to '7. Passageways 24 may each terminate in an end outlet24b in teat portion 2| at a spaced distance from said opening 2|d ofteat part 2 lb, said nipple 20 having an end inlet 24b for eachpassageway 24 located just above the bead 230 as is clear from Fig. 4.

Thus it is seen that said aligned through-openings Me and 2|d of innerand outer teat parts 2 la and 2|b, respectively, when assembled inregister serve to permit the flow of liquid contents of the feedingbottle through the nipple 20 into a child's mouth in which said teatportion 2| is placed in the Well known manner for feeding liquids from abottle, and air-passageways 24 provide direct communication of said,teat portion 2| with said aligned through-openings 2|c and 2 Id in thechilds mouth with the surrounding air independent of the contents of thenursing bottle and liquid flow therefrom.

Nipple 20 as above described and shown in Figs. 1-? may thus beconstructed by molding of a suitable rubber or plastic product havingdesirable properties With teat, neck and breast parts 2|a, 22a, and 23a,respectively, as integral inner sheath or liner 20a and with partitionforming ribs 24 and said through-opening 2|c, and also by molding of alike or different rubber or plastic product teat, neck and breast part2|b, 22b and 231) as integral outer covering 20b with throughopening21d, and said'passageway end outlets 24a and end inlets 2412.

Outer covering 2% may be molded to a size so as tostretchingly snug-fitagainst the partition forming ribs 20c on inner liner 26a therebyforming said air-passageways 24. If desired the lower edge portion 23dextending from breast part 2327 of outer covering 2% may be extended toencircle bead 230 of saidliner 20a so as to positively retain the outercovering 2011 against accidental movement from proper assembly on saidliner 20a.

A practical applicationof the invention may be carried out by simplymounting nipple 20 assembled as described above and shown in Figs. 1 to7 on a feeding bottle containing a milk formula, water or any otherfeeding liquid and on inserting said nipple 20 into an-infants mouthwhereby teat portion 2| having through-openings 2|c and 2|d, and saidoutlet ends 24aof air-passageways 24' are positioned within the mouthcavity, the infants lips will close about nipple neck 22 in positionagainst breast 23 with said passageway inlet ends 24b communicating withthe free atmosphere. When suckling by the infant commences the liquidwill fiowfrom the bottle in an even stream through said through-openingssimultaneously with atmospheric air flowing through passageways 24 intothe mouth cavity. This flow of air between the atmosphere and mouthcavity is substantially free and unimpeded so that after the completionof each suck there is sufficient air supplied to the mouth cavity forreplacing the partial vacuum created within the bottle without requiringreleasing the connection between the nipple 20 and the infants lips.

When sufficient liquid flows into the throat to initiate a swallowingreflex, the liquid will pass down the esophagus and any excess air inthe mouth cavity will be taken care of through the respiratory system.

In practicing the invention with nipple 20 in maintaining the abovedescribed communication of air between the free atmosphere and theinfants mouth cavity during suckling, the infant will befound to takeliquid food from a bottle contentedly and in a relaxed mood so as tominimize often present nervous tension to which gastric disturbances anddistress are attributed.

In Fig. 4a is shown a different disposition of end inlet |2 |a ofair-passageway I24 with respectto the bead 230 of inner breast part 23ashown in-Fig. 4. Here the partition forming-ribs |20c are each extendedto reach, around the bead 23c and said. passageway end inlets I261)located substantially in plane XX of the bead 230 instead of above thelatter.

A modified form of nipple construction 30 embodying the inventionisshown in Fig. Sin which the multi-wall structure differs from that.described above and shown in Figs. 1-7. in that partition forming ribs30c of the improved nipple construction 30 may be molded asintegralparts of outer covering 30b instead ofpart of. the nipple inner liner20a, and inner liner 30a is instead provided with an uninterruptedcontinuous smooth surface against which ribs 306 seat.

Nipple 30 otherwise may be. constructed like nipple 20 to provideair-passageways 34" end inlets and outlets for said passageways 3'4 andaligned through-openings in register disposed in the same relativeposition as described above for nipple 20 and shown in Figs. 1-7.

Fig. 9 shows another modification of nipple construction 40 embodyingthe inventionin which the multi-wall construction thereof differs fromnipples 20 and 36 described above and shown in Figs. 1-8, in that acorrugated or like sectioned intermediate member 400 isused instead ofthe partition forming ribs 200 and 300 of nipples 20 and 30,respectively, and is inserted between smooth surfaced inner liner 40aand outer covering 40b.

Nipple construction 40may alsootherwise form an assembly structure withair-passageways 44, and end inlets and outlets for said air-passageways44 and aligned through-openings in register disposed in the samerelationas described above for nipple 20, and shown in Figs. 1-7. Intermediatemember 400 may be made of suitably molded rubber or other plasticmaterial having like desired properties.

It is to be noted, however, that in nipple constructions 20,20 or 4|],either the inner liners of each outer covering or intermediate member490 of nipple 40 may selectively be made to have the same ordifferentpredetermined resilient properties to suit a wide range of userequirements.

The novel improved method of infant feeding embodying the invention willnow be apparent and is seen to comprise the steps of feeding a liquidfrom a nursing bottle through nipple 20, 30 or 40 by mouth suction whilesimultaneously maintaining free communication of atmospheric air withinthemouth cavity, that is, concurrently drawing air from the atmosphereoutside the mouth into the "region of mouth 'su'ct'ion withinsaidcavity. 1 Nipples 3i)- and fillwill each operate in thesame manneras described above fornipple 29 and-it is to be understood that thevarious modifications in number and cross-sectional shapes-andsizesofthe air passageways may-be utilized in any form of multi-layer nippleswithout'departing from the scope-of the inventions It has. been. foundthat favorable results are obtained in the modifications. shown whenthrougheopenings Zlc, Zid are of the usual size; that is, .so thatanintermittent drip of liquid will take place when the bottleisinvertedwith said nipple openingor openingsthereof below the liquidlevelin the bottle and the air passageways 24, 34 and 44 haveatotaleifeotive diameter of about 1 mm. Where a plurality of passageways24, (Hand M are provided on a nipple, each passageway having acorrespondingly smaller diameter has been found to render satisfactoryresults.

Itisthus seen that there are provided an improved method of infantfeeding anrlliquid feeding nipple constructions in which the objects ofthe invention are achieved and which arewell adapted to meet allconditions of practical use. As various possible embodiments maybe madein the above invention and as various changes might be made in theembodiments and method above set forth, it is understood that all theabove matters herein set forth'or shown in the accompanying drawings areto be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent:

1. A nursing nipple of the character described comprising a multi-layerelastic tubular wall structure terminated by a perforated head forpassing a flow of liquid from a bottle therethrough, said wall structureformed of superimposed layers having an elongated air conduit extendingtherebetween, said air conduit having an inlet located in the region ofthe perforated head and an outlet spaced therefrom both com municatingwith the exterior of the nipple, said conduit being partitioned ofi'from said liquid flow within the tubular structure.

2. A nursing nipple having a head opening of the character describedcomprising a multi-layer tubular wall structure for drawing a liquidflow from a bottle through said opening, said wall structure ofsuperimposed layers of elastic material formed with at least oneelongated air passageway extending between said layers partitioned fromsaid liquid flow within the nipple, said passageway having an inletcommunicating with the atmosphere at an exterior side of nipple andoutlet adjacent said nipple head opening.

3. A nursing nipple of the character described comprising a multi-layertubular Wall structure terminated by a perforated head for passing aflow of liquid from a bottle therethrough, and an elongated air conduitcontained between the nipple structure layers having both an inlet andoutlet communicating with the exterior of the nipple, said conduitoutlet being located in the region of the perforated head.

4. An infants nursing nipple having a hollow perforated head for drawinga liquid flow from a bottle therethrough comprising a multi-layer wallstructure, an elongated air conduit formed to ex tend between said wallstructure layers completely partitioned from said liquid fiowcommunicating a region of said head within the infants 'mouth 'with'theatmosphere external to the 'nipple when the latter is insuckling-position. 5. Anursing'nipple ofthe character describedcomprising an elastic multi-layer tubular wall structure terminated by aperforated sucking perforated sucking head and having an inlet'endcommunicating the conduit with the exterior of the nipple when saidsucking head is in-achild's mouth.

6. A nursing nipple of the character'described comprising a multi--layerstructure having a perforated bulbous hollow teat portion, a tubularneck extending from said teat portion-said neck being interposed betweenthe teat portion and a flexible walled hollow dome shaped breast, and

I spaced apartainpassageways extending longitudinally between adjacentlayers of the nipple structure throughwall portions of said breast,

., neck and teat portions, said air-passageways each having an inlet onsaid breast and outlet on said teat portion communicating anexteriorside of the n'ipple'teat portion when within the mouth insuckling position with the atmosphere-external the mouth.

7. The nursing nipple defined in claim 6 including spaced apartpartition forming ribs formed on one of said wall structure layersfacing another layer through which said air-passageways extend. v

8. An infant's nursing nipple having a multilayer wall structurecomprising perforated bulb ous hollow head portion wherethrough a liquidfiow passes, a tubular neck extending from said head portion interposedbetween the latter and a breast portion, an elongated .air conduitformed between said wall structure layers completely partitioned fromsaid liquid flow communicating a region of said head portion within theinfants mouth with the external atmosphere outside the infants mouthwhen said nipple is in suckling position, said air conduit having aninlet end on the breast portion beyond the infants lip suckling positionand an outlet end in the region of said nipple perforated head portion.

9. The infants nursing nipple defined in claim 8 in which said wallstructure forming the elongated air conduit includes an intermediatecorrugated layer inserted between two other layers.

10. The infants nursing nipple defined in claim 8 in which saidelongated air conduit is formed between layers of different rigidity toprovide a single structure of predetermined elasticity.

11. A nursing nipple of the character described comprising a multi-layerstructure having a perforated bulbous hollow teat portion, a tubularneck extending from said teat portion, said neck being interposedbetween the teat portion and a flexible walled hollow dome shapedbreast, and an elongated air conduit extending between adjacent layersof said nipple structure having an end inlet on said breast, saidconduit extending through layers of said tubular neck and terminating inan end outlet on said teat portion.

12. In an infants feeding nipple, a multi-layer structure having aperforated bulbous hollow teat portion, an intermediate tubular neck anddome shaped breast portion, the latter terminating in means for mountingthe nipple on the mouth of a feeding bottle to pass liquid flow fromaoenooi the latter into the infants mouth through said nipple; when insuckling position, an air conduit formedbetween the layers of saidstructure communicating an end inlet thereof positioned, on the nippleto lie exteriorly of the mouth when in said suckling position with anend outlet thereof positioned in the region of said teat portion withinthe mouth, said air conduit being partitioned off from said liquid flowthrough the. nipple.

13. An infants nursing nipple accessory for fitting over a nipplestructure of conventional construction wherethrough a liquid flow passescomprising an elastic outer layer formed with a bulbous hollow teatportion, a tubular neck ex.- tending from said neck interposed betweenthe teat portion and a flexible walled hollow breast, said layer beingshaped and sized to conform to said nipple structure, a rib integrallyextending along an interior surface of said layer for abutting thenipple structure and forming an elongated air conduit therebetweencompletely par.- titioned from said liquid flow, said. air conduithaving an inlet end on said breast and anoutlet on the teat portionthereof for communicating a region. of said teat portion within theinfantsmouth with the external atmosphere outside the infants mouth whenthe nipple structure is fitted with said accessory.

14; An infant's nursing accessory for fitting over a nipple structure ofconventional construction wherethrough a liquid flow passes comprisingan elastic outer layer formed with a bulbous hollow teat portion, atubular neck extending from said'teat portion, said neck interposedbetween the teat portion and afiexible walled hollow breast, said layerbeing shaped and sized to conform to said nipple structure with anintermediate corrugatedspacer therebetween to provide an: elongated. airconduit completely partitioned from said liquidflow, said air conduithaving an inlet end on. said breast and an outlet on the teat portionthereof for communicating a region of said teat portion within theinfants mouth. with the external atmosphere outside the infants-mouthwhen the nipple structure is fitted with-said accessory.

BENJAMIN ALSIYADT. HAROLD SAPPEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent- U-NITED STATES'PATENTSNumber Name Date 633,343 Heany Sept; 19', 1899 2,582,950 Al'stadt-et alJan. 22', 1952'

